Relief operations in Uttarakhand

Offering ‘Hope’, providing ‘Rahat’

Racing against time, battling inclement weather, overcoming the odds, scaling new heights of performance, and displaying synergy of the highest order in carrying out the world’s largest-scale relief and rescue operations in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh; the Armed Forces of the country showed it once again why are they respected and admired so much. While rescuing stranded pilgrims, the ‘men in uniform’ also had their moments of elation and sadness. While they felt good about helping out fellow countrymen, they also had lump in the throat to discover large-scale loss of lives during their missions into the devastated region of Kedarnath. ‘The Hitavada’ Chief Reporter Kartik Lokhande takes a look at the mammoth operations carried out by the Armed Forces in flood-ravaged territory.

We owe it to the lives of our people whom we have lost, that we sustain the mission and complete it successfully. Our rotors won’t stop working. -- Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF)

I must tell you that these boys have refused to take leave to attend to their kith and kin and rather render their duties. We all had a phenomenal synergy. Our endeavour is to locate all our citizens, wherever they are, and get them out. -- General Bikram Singh, Chief of the Indian Army

These statements of topmost officers of the IAF and the Indian Army reflect the undaunted spirit of the Armed Forces of India, of coming to rescue of fellow countrymen in crisis situation. Once again, the country saw ‘men in uniform’ swing into action swiftly and risk own lives to save theirs in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand and parts of adjoining state of Himachal Pradesh, in what could be termed as the biggest peace-time relief and rescue operation in the world.
Consider this. Since the flash floods on June 16, within 12 days, all the Forces came together and evacuated 1,04,687 persons from various places. In the process, 20 men including five from the IAF, nine from National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), and six from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) laid down their lives in effort to save fellow countrymen. In the process, the IAF also lost one of its MI-17 V5 aircraft. Despite this, all the ‘men in uniform’ continued with their duties. For, they knew that hopes of a billion-strong nation were pinned on them, their performance in disaster situation. For, they knew that their task would continue even after all the stranded citizens are evacuated to safer places.
There were many like Wg Cdr Ravi Pathak, Commanding Officer of Sarang Display Team of helicopters of the IAF, who were asked to proceed to Uttarakhand to be a part of massive ‘Operation Rahat’ within a matter of hours. There were many like Army personnel at Central Command who were asked to move to challenging terrain full of landslides to operate in difficult weather, and offer relief through ‘Operation Surya Hope’. There were others like the officers and personnel of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), who had to move with equipment and best of the skilled manpower to pave way for mammoth rescue operations. But, as all had only one aim -- of extending a helping hand to fellow countrymen in crisis -- they gelled well with each other. The result was a phenomenal synergy, exceptional courage, superb co-ordination, and safe evacuation of over a lakh of stranded citizens.
Let us take stock of how different Forces performed in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh:

Published in The Hitavada Sunday Forum on June 30, 2013

Indian Air Force After undertaking ‘Operation Rahat’, the IAF first rescued people from Nakud area of Saharanpur district. Starting the operations with a few helicopters, soon it deployed more men and equipment. It pressed into service MI-17 IV, MI-17 V-5, advanced light helicopters, Cheetah, C 130J aircraft, AN-32, MI_26, IL-76, and Avro to carry out missions to airlift men, equipment, relief material, and medical aid.
Aircraft were kept on standby at Ambala, Sarsawa, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Agra, and even at Hindon Air Station. Sarasawa, Gauchar, Jolly Grant, Shimla, Pithoragarh soon became popular names as they were in the thick of operations. IAF undertook the operations simultaneously in the sectors of Yamuna Nagar, Kedarnath-Badrinath axis, Rudraprayag Valley, and Karcham-Pooh axis. It performed in a systematic manner. Its C130J conducted reconnaisance mission and flew over flood-affected areas in Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Kedarnath, and Joshimath to track critical areas in the region to assign priority to disaster relief operations and facilitate further operations. The operations were extended to Phata, Guptkashi, Gaurikund, Kedarnath in Uttarakhand; Rampur, Karcham, Rincompeo, Sangla in Himachal Pradesh.
During the operations, the IAF carried out a special task. Its 111 Helicopter Unit rescued marooned villagers in the foothills using winch-equipped Advanced Light Helicopter. Apart from operating in inclement weather and one of the most challenging terrains, the IAF achieved another feat by establishing an aviation fuel supply bridge at Dharasu (a landing ground only 1,300 metres long) to give greater impetus to rescue operations which were severely restricted dur to non-availability of aviation fuel.
Till June 26, IAF flew 1,540 sorties dropping/landing 2,16,310 kgs of load and airlifting 13,052 persons.

Indian Army Launching ‘Operation Surya Hope’ named after its Central Command (popularly called Surya Command), the Indian Army played a crucial role in relief and rescue operations with its personnel operating on ground and Army Aviators operations at difficult heights.
The Army launched operations in Badrinath, Hemkund, Kedarnath regions. It deployed over 10,000 personnel including medical teams, engineer task force, and Signal Detachment. Further, it pressed into service two JCBs, 19 boats, nine helicopters, and deployed 10 specialised mountaineering teams for Kedarnath-Soumang area. It opened emergency medical helpline besides giving the stranded civilians access to Army communications to facilitate their contact with their families.
The Army rescued people from Uttarkashi, Joshimath, Kedarnath, Harsil-Gangotri, Hemkund, Badrinath, Govindghat, Pandukeshwar, Rudraprayag. It used ‘Staging Area’ concept during relief and rescue mission due to a series of landslides between Harsil and Uttarkashi. Across all landslides, people were made to cross on foot. Between two landslides, vehicles were being used.
Apart from evacuation, the Army also repaired mini-hydel project in Harsil and helped restore power supply. It cleared landslide sites and road in various areas including Dharasu. It undertook repair and construction of a ropeway at Govindghat; foot bridge at village Dharali and Harsil; and improvised crossing at Govindghat. The Army set up relief camps at Harsil, Joshimath, Rudraprayag, and Gauchar advanced landing ground; medical camps at Harsil, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Govindghat, Gothi, Dharchula, and Gwaldam; and constructed a helipad at Lambaghat civil school at Govindghat.
Realising the need to soothen the nerves of traumatised citizens rescued from various parts, the Army deployed two psychiatrists from Army Medical Corps in Joshimath sector to provide professional counselling, advice, and solace to people awaiting evacuation. Central Command also launched an exclusive website ‘www.suryahopes.in’ giving minute-to-minute update on Army operations across Uttarakhand.
Till June 26, Army had evacuated more than 33,000 people including 25,000 by foot and 8,000 by helicopter. Thirteen Army aviation aircraft had conducted 600 sorties to evacuate 2,715 people and ferry 24 tonnes of food, fuel, medicines, blankets, and relief material to people.

Border Roads Organisation
The BRO deployed 3,000 personnel and equipment working for various projects to clear the roads and rescue stranded people. BRO diverted its resources, personnel, and equipment for projects such as Shivalik, Deepak, and Hirak for clearing roads and to rescue the affected people. All bulldozers, JCBs, excavators, compressors and other platforms were deployed for rescue and restoration work.
During the operations, BRO opened National Highway-94 from Rishikesh to Dharasu, National Highway-108 from Dharasu-Gangotri for light vehicles, and restored connectivity on Rishikesh-Joshimath-Mana, Tanakpur-Pithoragarh-Jauljibi-Tawaghat-Ghatiabgarh routes. It also opened road stretch Wangtu-Pooh-Kaurik in Himachal Pradesh battling several breaches and landslides that had cut road connectivity. After the operations are over, it is facing the mammoth task of restoration of damaged infrastructure.